Adjustable position bottle holster

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods comprising a portable packing apparatus comprising a first tracking element and a second tracking element, and a holster adapted to be slidably disposed on the first tracking element and second tracking element of the portable tracking apparatus. The holster has a variety of positions, in which the holster slides along at least one of the first tracking element and the second tracking element to move from a first position to a second position. The second position may be set according to a user preference. The holster may be adapted to holster a liquid container.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention generally relates to portable packing systems andmethods for transporting gear on a person.

BACKGROUND

The use of packing apparatuses and systems, such as backpacks andwaistpacks, are commonly used in recreational and professionalindustries including the sporting and leisure industries. In order toaccommodate the evolving demands of sophisticated users, such packs areoften equipped with various objects, such as fluid containers, orharnesses for holding such objects that satisfy these demands.Conventional systems and methods for carrying objects or containersoften involve complex or user unfriendly packing systems due to theconfiguration of elements on the packing apparatus and the containeritself as well as the lack of mobility or adaptability of thesefeatures. Conventional systems, apparatuses and methods have been thesubject of several patent applications, which generally describe meansfor carrying and releasably attaching containers or objects to packingsystems in order to better accommodate the needs of users.

For example, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2006/0011676 toWillows et al. describes a bottle and waistpack configuration. Thebottle and waistpack configuration consists of a bottle carrier or packwith a sleeve for releasably retaining the bottle. The sleeve retainsthe bottle such that the bottle's central axis is held generallyhorizontal and the bottle is removable through the open area at a firstend of the sleeve. U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2007/0080182to Thatcher describes another bottle and waistpack configuration. Thebottle and waistpack configuration consists of waistpack with a belt anda holster connected to the belt for releasably retaining a beveragecontainer bottle. U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2007/0152007to Kauss et al. describes a modular packing system. The modular packingsystem comprises a plurality of attachment structures for attachingvarious auxiliary elements, including a hydration system.

Conventional pack and container configurations, however, lack ease ofattachment and detachment and repositioning of the bottle to accommodatethe needs of the user. For example, the current configurations normallyattach bottle holsters directly to the pack body and use some type ofwing panel or webbing for compression. The current configurations do notprovide the requisite variability in the positioning of the bottle onceattached to the pack. As a result, conventional configurations resultsin a static assembly with no bottle or bottle holster adjustmentmechanism on the pack. These configurations do not allow a user tomodify a position of the bottle according to their preferences or amanufacturer to efficiently design a system to accommodate a greaterrange of body types.

Therefore, despite the advancements in packing systems, there stillexists a need for more versatile and efficient pack and bottleconfigurations without sacrificing quality or comfort of the user tomeet the current and evolving demands of high performance packingsystems in the sporting and leisure industries.

SUMMARY

The invention is directed to improvements in portable packing systems,and particularly improvements in the configuration and versatility ofcontainers releasably attached to a packing apparatus.

In an embodiment of the invention, a portable gear management system isprovided. The portable gear management system comprises a portablepacking apparatus comprising a first tracking element and a secondtracking element. The portable gear management system also comprises acontainer holster adapted to be slidably disposed on the first trackingelement and second tracking element of the portable tracking apparatus.

In this embodiment, the container holster may have a variety ofpositions, in which the container holster slides along at least one ofthe first tracking element and the second tracking element to move froma first position to a second position. The second position may be setaccording to a user preference.

In another embodiment, the portable packing apparatus may furthercomprise a first slider clip adapted to be disposed on the firsttracking element, and a second slider clip adapted to be disposed on thesecond tracking element. The container holster may comprise a firstwebbing and a second webbing. The first webbing and second webbing areadapted to be routed through the first and second slider clips andattached to the first and second slider clips. In this embodiment, thefirst slider clip is adapted to adjustably slide on the first trackingelement and the second slider clip is adapted to adjustably slide on thesecond tracking element. The first slider clip and second slider clipmay be selected from a group consisting of 20 mm and 25 mm slider clips.The first webbing and second webbing may be selected from a groupconsisting of 20 mm and 25 mm webbings corresponding to a selection ofthe first and second slider clips.

In another embodiment, the portable gear management system may furthercomprise a fixing mechanism for releasably fixing the container holsterto the packing apparatus. In this embodiment, the fixing mechanism maycomprise a holster adhesion element disposed on the packing apparatusand a packing apparatus fixing element mounted on the container holster.The packing apparatus fixing element is adapted to be releasably fixedon the holster adhesion element. The fixing mechanism may be ahook-and-loop type fastener. In this embodiment, the portable gearmanagement system may further comprise a fixing mechanism supportelement disposed on the packing apparatus. The support element isadapted to releasably secure the container holster to the packingapparatus. The support element may be a support strap. The containerholster may comprise a support strap slotted element adapted to slidealong the support strap. In one embodiment, the support element may bean adjustable strap.

In one embodiment, the container holster may be adapted to hold a waterbottle. In another embodiment, the portable tracking apparatus is atleast one of a backpack, waistpack, fannypack, travelpack and a utilitybelt.

A further embodiment provides for a method of transporting portable gearcomprising providing a portable packing apparatus comprising a firsttracking element and a second tracking element. The method furthercomprises providing a container holster adapted to be slidably disposedon the first tracking element and second tracking element of theportable tracking apparatus.

In another embodiment, the method further comprises adjusting a positionof the container holster. In this embodiment, adjusting the position ofthe container may comprise sliding the container holster along at leastone of the first tracking element and the second tracking element tomove the container holster from a first position to a second position.The second position may be set according to a user preference. In thisembodiment, adjusting the position of the container holster may compriseadjusting an attaching position to at least one of the first trackingelement and the second tracking element on the packing apparatus.

In another embodiment, the method further comprises releasably fixingthe container holster to the packing apparatus.

Depending on the embodiment, the invention can have advantages includinggreater versatility and functionality, simplicity of design, improvedease of development and/or improved overall performance. These and otherfeatures and advantages of the disclosed constructions and methods aredescribed in, or apparent from, the following detailed description ofvarious exemplary embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various embodiments will be more readily understood through thefollowing detailed description, with reference to the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portable gear management systemaccording to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a portable packing apparatus of theportable gear management system illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C are front, rear and lateral perspective views,respectively, of a container of the portable gear management systemillustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the portable gear management systemillustrated in FIG. 1 showing the container in a biased configuration;and

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the portable gear management systemillustrated in FIG. 1 showing the container in another biasedconfiguration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

For a general understanding of the features of the illustratedembodiments of the invention, reference is made to the drawings. In thedrawings, like reference numerals have been used throughout to designatelike elements.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, a portable gear management system 10 accordingto a first embodiment includes a portable packing apparatus 15 and acontainer holster 110 adapted to be attached to the packing apparatus15. In one embodiment, the portable packing apparatus 15 comprises afirst tracking element 30 and a second tracking element 35. In thisembodiment, the container holster 110 is adapted to be slidably disposedon the first tracking element 30 and second tracking element 35 of theportable tracking apparatus 15. In one embodiment, the container holster110 may hold a liquid container 100 as shown in FIG. 1.

The composition and nature of the portable packing apparatus 15 is notparticularly limited. In embodiments, the packing apparatus 15 iscapable of transporting equipment or objects such as those used in, forexample, the sporting industries. Non-limiting examples of suitableportable packing apparatuses are backpacks, waistpacks, fannypacks,travelpacks, utility belts, harnesses and luggage. For purposes ofillustration only, embodiments described herein including the packingapparatus 15 will be described with respect to a waistpack.

The waistpack 15 may comprise any one or more of a variety ofaccoutrements known in the art, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. Forexample, the waistpack 15 may comprise a fastener with a male end 75 andfemale end 70 for securing the waistpack 15 around the user's waist. Thewaistpack 15 may comprise adjustment buckles 80 a, 80 b for finelyfitting the waistpack 15 around the user's waist. Additionally, thewaistpack 15 may be constructed of any suitable material in a singlelayer or multiple layers such as, for example, webbing layers 90 a, 90 band 90 c. Various other accoutrements are possible and will be readilyunderstood by one of ordinary skill in the art. Non-limiting examplesinclude, but are not limited to zippers, pouches, pockets and the like.

Waistpack 15 may also comprise slider clips 40, 45, as shown in FIG. 2.In embodiments, the slider clips 40 and 45 fit into and slide along thetracking elements 30 and 35, respectively. In embodiments, the trackingassemblies formed by the combination of slider clip 40 and trackingelement 30, and slider clip 45 and tracking element 35 are piping trackassemblies. However, it will be readily apparent to one of ordinaryskill in the art that other tracking assemblies are within the scope andspirit of this invention.

In one embodiment, the slider clips 40, 45 may be configured to beweaved into or otherwise disposed on the waistpack 15 by beingreleasably attached to the tracking elements 30 and 35. In anotherembodiment, the slider clips 40 and 45 may be fixedly attached to thetracking elements 30 and 35. In one embodiment, the slider clips 40 and45 may be disposed on the tracking elements 30 and 35. In anotherembodiment, the slider clips 40 and 45 may be disposed in the trackingelements 30 and 35. For simplicity, this disclosure will refer to thedisposition consistently as “on” the tracking elements 30 and 35 butthis also comprises in certain embodiments the disposition may be “in”the tracking elements 30 and 35. The composition of the slider clips 40,45 is not particularly limited. Any suitable plastic, polyester,polymer-based material or metal or metal alloy material is contemplated.In embodiments, the webbing slider clips 40, 45 are comprised ofplastic.

The waistpack 15 may also comprise a support strap 50 disposed on andacross the front portion of the waistpack 15. The support strap 50includes an adjustment buckle 60 for fitting the strap 50 snuggly aroundthe container holster 110 when the container holster 110 is secured tothe waistpack 15.

The waistpack 15 further includes a holster adhesion element 20 forsecuring the container holster 110 to the waistpack 15. The holsteradhesion element 20 may comprise any suitable adhesion means known inthe art. In embodiments, the adhesion element 20 is a hook-and-loop typefastener or fabric (e.g., Velcro®).

The composition and nature of the container holster 110 is notparticularly limited. In embodiments, the container holster 110 may be aholster for a fluid container or water bottle, as illustrated in FIGS.3A-3C. However, it will be recognized that any suitable holster iswithin the scope and spirit of this invention. For purposes ofillustration only, embodiments described herein including the containerholster 110 will be described with respect to a holster for a waterbottle.

Other examples include any device useful to a user that may be attachedto a packing apparatus. For example, in the sporting industries, thecontainer holster 110 may be adapted to holster, food or energypackages, timing devices, refreshments, towels and the like. In theprofessional arena, the container holster 110 may be adapted to holstera flashlight, cutting devices, security devices such as a whistle andthe like. Other non-limiting examples of suitable holsters include, butare not limited to, holsters for GPS systems, compasses, cell phones orthe like.

As illustrated in FIGS. 3A-3C, a liquid container 100 may be holsteredby the container holster 110. The construction of the container holster110 may comprise one or more layers of materials such as, for example,elastic, cotton, silk, nanoweb, polyester, polypropylene or otherpolymer-based materials. On the front portion of the container holster110, the container holster 110 may comprise a slotted element 130 forreceiving the support strap 50 of the waistpack 15, as shown in FIGS. 3Aand 3C. The slotted element 130 permits the container holster 110 toslide along the strap 50 to allow the user to adjust the position of theliquid container 100. On the back of the container holster 110, thecontainer holster 110 may comprise a packing apparatus fixing element120 for mounting on the holster adhesion element 20 of the waistpack 15,as shown in FIG. 3B. The packing apparatus fixing element 120 maycomprise any suitable adhesion means known in the art. In oneembodiment, the packing apparatus fixing element 120 may be ahook-and-loop type fastener or fabric (i.e., Velcro®). The containerholster 110 also comprises webbings 140 a and 140 b. The webbings 140 aand 140 b may be webbing mounting portions for mounting on or weavingthrough the respective slider clips 40, 45, as shown in FIGS. 3B and 3C.

Referring back to FIG. 1, the container holster 110 is mounted on thewaistpack 15 via the slider clips 40, 45. The webbings 140 a and 140 bmay be routed through the slider clips 40 and 45 and attached to theslider clips 40 and 45. Thus, the container holster 110 may be slidablydisposed on the tracking elements 30, 35.

In one embodiment, the container holster 110 may be attached to thewaistpack 15 by attaching webbings 140 a and 140 b to the slider clips40, 45 and thus the container holster 110 is adapted to slide along thetracking elements 30, 35 attached to the waistpack 15. In oneembodiment, the tracking elements 30 and 35 may be piping tracks. Inembodiments, the tracking elements 30, 35 may be at least partiallycovered by fabric 90 of the waistpack 15 for aesthetic and/or protectivepurposes. The webbings 140 may be routed through and attached to theslider clips 40, 45. Any suitable webbings and slider clips may used. Inembodiments, the slider clips 40, 45 are 20 mm or 25 mm. Similarly, thewebbings 140 a and 140 b may also be 20 mm or 25 mm corresponding to theslider clips. However, it will be readily apparent to one of ordinaryskill in the are that various other dimensions and/or sizes of sliderclips 40, 45 and webbings 140 a and 140 b are within the scope andspirit of the present invention.

The slider clips 40, 45 slide along the tracking elements 30, 35. Inembodiments, two track assemblies may be used: the tracking element 30and the slider clip 40; and the tracking element 35 and the slider clip45. In certain embodiments, one track assembly may be located near thetop frontal portion of the waistpack 15 while the other is located nearthe bottom frontal portion of the waistpack 15. Although disclosedembodiments are described with respect to two track assemblies, one ofordinary skill in the art will recognize that other track assemblies maybe added and/or different configurations used. For example, thepositioning of the track assemblies may be configured in lateral, sideby side or slanted fashion. In one embodiment, the tracking elements 30,35 may be generally parallel to accommodate a generally fixed spacingbetween the mounting positions of the webbings 140 a and 140 b on thecontainer holster 110.

Although not depicted in the drawings, it is also contemplated that thewebbings 140 a and 140 b may be movable on the surface of the containerholster 110 such as through, for example, holster tracking systems ofthe container holster 110, such that another dimension of movement, inaddition to the movement effectuated by tracks on the waistpack 15, ispossible. In this embodiment, the tracks on the waistpack 15 need not beparallel.

The positioning of the holster adhesion element 20 on the waistpack 15and the packing apparatus fixing element 120 mounted on the containerholster 110 are not particularly limited. In embodiments, the holsteradhesion element 20 is located between the tracking elements 30 and 35to maximize the fixing capability of the adhesion element 20. One ofordinary skill in the art will recognize that other configurations arepossible.

These features advantageously allow the position of the liquid container100 to be repositioned as necessary thereby enhancing the usability andfunctionality of the waistpack 15 over a greater range of user bodytypes and environmental requirements. In this regard, in embodiments,the positioning or repositioning of the liquid container 100 may beeffectuated according to any one or more of a user preference. Moreover,the configuration of the piping tracks may be effectuated according tofunctional demands of the packing apparatus 15 such as, for example,differing environmental demands associated with high elevation outdooractivities versus more everyday athletic demands.

FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate the liquid container 100 in various positionson the waistpack 15 of the portable gear management system 10 of thepresent invention. As shown in FIG. 4, the liquid container 100 may bepositioned into a configuration in which the slider clip 40 has beenmoved to the frontal right position along the tracking element 30 whilethe slider clip 45 remains in the central portion of the trackingelement 35. Such configuration may be suitable for a user who prefers abackward or frontward facing water bottle depending on the positioningof the waistpack 15 on the user's body. FIG. 5 shows anotherconfiguration in which the slider clip 40 may be positioned at thefrontal left position along the tracking element 30. Other positions andconfigurations will be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in theart based on this disclosure.

In practice, a user secures the waistpack 15 around her waist usingfasteners 70, 75 and adjusts the waistpack 15 for comfort bymanipulating the adjustment buckles 80 a, 80 b to finely tighten thewaistpack 15 around her waist and by rotating the waistpack 15 radiallyaround her waist to achieve a desired location of the functional aspectsof the waistpack 15. In this regard, the user, if, for example, jogging,may want to have the liquid container 15 positioned ventrally for easyaccess or dorsally so as not to interfere with bodily movement. Variousother preferences based on the personal preference and the type ofactivity conducted are within the scope and spirit of this invention.

In one embodiment, the container holster 110 may be fixedly attached tothe waistpack 15 via the webbings 140 a and 140 b, slider clips 40 and45, and tracking elements 30 and 35. To use this embodiment of theportable gear management system 10, the user may simply put the liquidcontainer 100 into the container holster 110. In certain otherembodiments, the container holster 110 may be releasably attached to thewaistpack 15, either because the webbings 140 a and 140 b may bereleasably attached to the slider clips 40 and 45, or the slider sliderclips 40 and 45 may be releasably attached to the tracking elements 30and 35. In those certain embodiments, a liquid container 100 may be putin the container holster 110 before the container holster 110 isattached to the waistpack 15.

After the liquid container 100 may be attached to the waistpack 15 viathe container holster 110. The user may position the liquid container100 into a desired position by sliding the container holster 110 alongthe first tracking element 30 and/or the second tracking element 35 tomove the liquid container 100 into the desired position. Once the desireposition has been achieved, the user may fix the liquid container 100 inthat position by pressing the packing apparatus fixing element 120mounted on the container holster 110 to the holster adhesion element 20disposed on the waistpack 15. This secures the hook-and-loop fastening.The user may then further stabilize the liquid container 100 in thedesired position by tightening the support strap 50 around the containerholster 110, thus holding the liquid container 100 secure in position.In certain embodiments, the fixing mechanism, alone, may be sufficientto secure the liquid container 100 to the waistpack 15 for the durationof the activity. Moreover, it will be recognized that the liquidcontainer 100 may be repositioned multiple times to accommodate multipleneeds or changing environmental demands using in the manner describedherein.

Disclosed embodiments have been described with reference to severalexemplary embodiments. There are many modifications of the disclosedembodiments which will be apparent to those of skill in the art. It isunderstood that these modifications are within the teaching of thepresent invention which is to be limited only by the claims.

1. A portable gear management system comprising: a portable packingapparatus comprising: a first tracking element; and a second trackingelement; and a holster adapted to be slidably disposed on the firsttracking element and second tracking element of the portable trackingapparatus.
 2. The portable gear management system according to claim 1,wherein the holster has a variety of positions; wherein the holsterslides along at least one of the first tracking element and the secondtracking element to move from a first position to a second position. 3.The portable gear management system according to claim 2, wherein thesecond position is set according to a user preference.
 4. The portablegear management system according to claim 1, further comprising: a firstslider clip adapted to slide on the first tracking element; and a secondslider clip adapted to slide on the second tracking element.
 5. Theportable gear management system according to claim 4, wherein theholster comprises a first webbing and a second webbing, the firstwebbing and second webbing are adapted to be routed through the firstand second slider clips and attached thereon.
 6. The portable gearmanagement system according to claim 5, wherein the first slider clipand second slider clip are selected from the group consisting of 20 mmand 25 mm slider clips, and the first and second webbings have acorresponding size respsectively.
 7. The portable gear management systemaccording to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first tracking elementand the second tracking element is a piping track.
 8. The portable gearmanagement system according to claim 1, further comprising a fixingmechanism for releasably fixing the holster to the packing apparatus. 9.The portable gear management system according to claim 8, wherein thefixing mechanism comprises; a holster adhesion element disposed on thepacking apparatus; and a packing apparatus fixing element mounted on theholster; wherein the packing apparatus fixing element is adapted to befixed on the holster adhesion element.
 10. The portable gear managementsystem according to claim 8, wherein the fixing mechanism is ahook-and-loop type fastener.
 11. The portable gear management systemaccording to claim 8, further comprising a support element for thefixing mechanism disposed on the packing apparatus; wherein the supportelement is adapted to releasably secure the holster to the packingapparatus.
 12. The portable gear management system according to claim11, wherein the support element is an adjustable nylon strap.
 13. Theportable gear management system according to claim 12, wherein theholster comprises a support strap slotted element adapted to slide alongthe support element.
 14. The portable gear management system accordingto claim 1, wherein the holster is adapted to holster a liquidcontainer.
 15. The portable gear management system according to claim 1,wherein the portable tracking apparatus is at least one of a backpack,waistpack, fannypack, travelpack and a utility belt.
 16. A method oftransporting portable gear comprising: providing a portable packingapparatus comprising: a first tracking element; and a second trackingelement; and providing a holster adapted to be slidably disposed on thefirst tracking element and second tracking element of the portabletracking apparatus.
 17. The method according to claim 16, furthercomprising adjusting a position of the holster.
 18. The method accordingto claim 17, wherein adjusting the position of the holster comprisessliding the holster along at least one of the first tracking element andthe second tracking element to move the holster from a first position toa second position.
 19. The method according to claim 16, whereinadjusting the position of the holster comprises adjusting the attachinglocation of the holster on at least one of the first tracking elementand the second tracking element on the packing apparatus.
 20. The methodaccording to claim 16, further comprising releasably fixing the holsterto the packing apparatus.
 21. A portable gear management systemcomprising: a portable packing apparatus comprising: an adjustablestrap, a holster adhesion element disposed on thereon, a first trackingelement, and a second tracking element; a first slider clip adapted toslide on the first tracking element; a second slider clip adapted toslide on the second tracking element; and a container holster to hold aliquid container, the container holster comprising: a support elementadapted to be slidably attached to the adjustable strap, a packingapparatus fixing element adapted to be releasably attached on theholster adhesion element, a first webbing adapted to be routed throughthe first slider clip and attached to the first slider clip, and asecond webbing adapted to be routed through the second slider clip andattached to the second slider clip.